Naas survive Kilmoyley fightback to claim All-Ireland title

Naas were crowned All-Ireland intermediate hurling champions after they held off Kilmoyley in a pulsating finish at Croke Park.

Despite a low scoring second half the Kildare champions laid the foundations in the first, and survived the fightback from the Kerry champions.

Kilmoyley threw everything at Tom Mullaly's side and when replacement Daire Nolan found the net in the 56th minute, momentum was firmly with the Munster side.

That goal left a point between the evenly matched sides but when Daniel Collins missed two opportunities to level, Naas had the required resilience then to hang on. James Burke landed the killer insurance score in the next play.

That was enough for the Kildare men.

Kilmoyley undoubtedly got the better start, top scorer on the day Collins was finding his range early on from free’s. Naas on the other hand eased themselves into the final. Joint captain and dual star Brian Byrne cancelled out all Collins good work with a determined brace.

The deployment of sweepers on both sides meant scoring opportunities were at a premium.

Ross Kelly for Naas and Dougie Fitzell for Kilmoyley were hoovering up a lot of possession to the intended inside targets of both sides.

The teams were level four times in the opening half, but Naas upped the ante in the run into half-time with a string of six scores in a row. Midfielder Simon Leacy exploded into the game with a brace along with the hugely impressive corner man Shane Ryan.

Collins would bookend the half with a free to make 0-11 to 0-07 in favour of the Kildare champions.A huge turnover and point from Rian Boran at the beginning of the second half looked to have sent Naas on their way.

Instead, John Meyler’s Kilmoyley roared back into the final.

Hunting in packs and tackling